Published: Thursday, January 3, 2013 at 5:57 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, January 3, 2013 at 5:57 p.m.

Ramon Remedios sat a table at First Baptist Church in Hendersonville Thursday morning, one of about 30 people enjoying a bowl of chili, cornbread and desert.

The meal marked the beginning of a new soup kitchen ministry at the church called Love's Kitchen. Remedios was invited to the new soup kitchen by members of the church and was glad he came.

“We came and everybody treated us really nice with a good heart,” he said.

The kitchen is run by members of the church's congregation, but volunteers from outside the church are welcome, organizer Shawnee Case said. The soup kitchen is open every Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

“We recognized there was a real need in the community,” Case said. “This is how the burden was placed on our hearts.”

Organizers didn't know what to expect Thursday when the doors opened for the first time. People seeking meals filed into the church gymnasium, where they were greeted by volunteers offering coffee. Food was served by volunteers, and the church also offered sweaters, coats and shoes.

Considering the main form of marketing for the event was word of mouth, First Baptist's pastor was pleased with the turnout.

“We knew we had to start somewhere,” Senior Pastor Ryan Pack said. “We just need to see what God does with it.”

The meal is designed for mostly for the homeless, Case said, but no one is turned away.

“Anyone is welcome,” she said, “but we really want to target those people that don't get food anywhere else.”

Church members volunteer at a soup kitchen at First Church of the Nazarene. The kitchen is independent of the church and run by other denominations. That kitchen serves meals at 11 a.m. on Mondays. Another soup kitchen they volunteer at is at the Life Center Church of God in Christ, on Sundays at 4 p.m.

The new soup kitchen was successful Thursday and showed there is a need, organizers said. People came in, chatted with church staff and smiled as they enjoyed the chili. Remedios said he enjoyed the meal, but the experience went beyond the food.

“The meal was good,” he said. “The people are good. Their hearts are really good.”

<p>Ramon Remedios sat a table at First Baptist Church in Hendersonville Thursday morning, one of about 30 people enjoying a bowl of chili, cornbread and desert. </p><p>The meal marked the beginning of a new soup kitchen ministry at the church called Love's Kitchen. Remedios was invited to the new soup kitchen by members of the church and was glad he came.</p><p>“We came and everybody treated us really nice with a good heart,” he said.</p><p>The kitchen is run by members of the church's congregation, but volunteers from outside the church are welcome, organizer Shawnee Case said. The soup kitchen is open every Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.</p><p>“We recognized there was a real need in the community,” Case said. “This is how the burden was placed on our hearts.”</p><p>Organizers didn't know what to expect Thursday when the doors opened for the first time. People seeking meals filed into the church gymnasium, where they were greeted by volunteers offering coffee. Food was served by volunteers, and the church also offered sweaters, coats and shoes. </p><p>Considering the main form of marketing for the event was word of mouth, First Baptist's pastor was pleased with the turnout. </p><p>“We knew we had to start somewhere,” Senior Pastor Ryan Pack said. “We just need to see what God does with it.”</p><p>The meal is designed for mostly for the homeless, Case said, but no one is turned away. </p><p>“Anyone is welcome,” she said, “but we really want to target those people that don't get food anywhere else.” </p><p>Church members volunteer at a soup kitchen at First Church of the Nazarene. The kitchen is independent of the church and run by other denominations. That kitchen serves meals at 11 a.m. on Mondays. Another soup kitchen they volunteer at is at the Life Center Church of God in Christ, on Sundays at 4 p.m.</p><p>The new soup kitchen was successful Thursday and showed there is a need, organizers said. People came in, chatted with church staff and smiled as they enjoyed the chili. Remedios said he enjoyed the meal, but the experience went beyond the food.</p><p>“The meal was good,” he said. “The people are good. Their hearts are really good.”</p><p>Reach Millwood at 828-694-7881 or joey.millwood@blueridgenow.com.</p>